What a year! My mother died in June after a battle with cancer. My six year old BFF was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January. On Ash Wednesday seventeen students lost their lives in Parkland, Florida. There were hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. - Terrorism at home and throughout the world - Hate in Charlottesville, NC and in so many hearts. The list of our personal, national and global tragedies is long and daunting. Where is the hope?

The hope resides in people uniting together to give voice to the power of love. Hope is present in the young and old standing together for the sanctity of life. Hope is evident in the outpouring of love through prayer, donations and direct service. Hope lives in the actions of a six year old who has emerged as a stronger, more resilient person. Hope lives in the heart of a family that believes in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.

Today we not only celebrate the hope-filled, new life that took place two thousand years ago. Nor do we just celebrate the resurrection that awaits us at the end of our earthly journey. We also celebrate the daily resurrections that occur around us and within us - resurrections that give us hope and demonstrate the potential for even greater life.

But all forms of resurrection are not merely meant to be celebrated. They are meant to lead us to action - to spread love and hope - to give new life to others - to build God’s kingdom. We are not just to proclaim Christ’s death and to profess his resurrection but we are to live his resurrection until he comes again.

What resurrection has taken place within you as the result of your Lenten practices? How can this resurrection lead you to become your best self? In what ways can this resurrection help you to build God’s kingdom?

Brother Steve Milan is a part of the formation team at the Marist Brothers Novitiate at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.